Without You (Love Wanted in Texas #1)(25)

I glanced over to Lauren, and she was frowning.

Grace was not about to let it go. “Bullshit, Libby. You and my brother used to be so damn close. Then, he pulled the whole kissing-you shit before he left for college, and things haven’t been the same. The other night, y’all seemed to be back to your old selves, having fun and dancing. How did Claire come into the picture?”

Libby turned away from us, and I could tell she was upset. I stopped my horse, and Lauren and Grace stopped as well. Libby turned her horse around to face us. When I saw the tear moving down her face, my heart broke.

“Oh, Lib, what did my * brother do to you? I’m going to kick his ass,” Grace said.

Libby attempted to laugh but failed. “He didn’t do anything. That’s the problem, Grace. We were having fun, dancing and all. He even asked if I wanted to go to the diner for something to eat. Then, a slow song came on, and he pulled me closer to him as we danced. I really thought…”

A sob escaped her throat, and Lauren sniffled. I glanced over and looked at Lauren. I saw she was attempting to hold back her tears. We all knew how much Libby liked Luke. With Maegan always talking about wanting to sleep with him and Luke’s player ways, we knew it bothered Libby to even be around him.

Grace jumped off her horse and walked over to Libby as she began getting down. Lauren and I quickly followed.

“You really thought what, Lib?” Grace asked.

Libby swallowed hard. “I thought he might have feelings for me. He looked like he wanted to kiss me, so I figured I’d just go for it.”

I put my hand up to my mouth and let out a gasp.

“Did you kiss him?” Lauren asked.

Libby shook her head. “No. I told him that I missed him, I missed us, and I wanted him to kiss me again.”

“What did he say?” all three of us asked at once.

Libby’s eyes filled with tears. “He leaned down, and he was about to kiss me, but then he stopped right before our lips touched. He looked into my eyes and said…”

I noticed Grace’s hands balling into fists.

Libby sobbed. “He said…he said that kissing me was a mistake, and he never thought there was an us outside of being friends.”

I closed my eyes.

Grace whispered, “Bastard.”

“He stepped back, and I swear his eyes looked so sad, but he began looking around. Claire had been trying to flirt and dance with Luke from the moment he got there. He must have seen her. I don’t know. He looked back at me and smiled. Then, he thanked me for dancing with him. He told me we were all going back to his house to watch movies and that if I needed a ride, he’d take me. A few minutes later, I saw him with Claire.”

Lauren walked up to Libby and pulled her into her arms. “I’m so sorry, Libby. He’s just a stupid, scared ass.”

I looked at Grace.

She mouthed to me, I’m going to kill him.

I nodded my head.

Libby began laughing and pulled away from Lauren. “It’s okay, really. I was stupid to think Luke ever really had any feelings for me. I mean, he probably wants to sleep with Maegan, and I’m just in the way.”

“No, he doesn’t,” Lauren said.

I wasn’t so sure about that. Maegan had a way of flirting with Luke, and I knew he had mentioned more than once to Colt that if Maegan kept pushing, he was going to give her what she wanted.

We all sat down and talked for a bit more.

“Lib, you’re going to A&M. Are you going to be able to go to the same school as Luke? What if you, you know, see him on dates?” Grace asked.

My heart sank at the idea of Will being at a different school than me, especially knowing he would be rooming with Luke. I didn’t think Luke was a man-whore, but I knew he had already slept with his fair share of girls.

Libby shook her head and stood up. “I’ll be fine. I guess it’s my fault for letting my feelings for Luke get in the way of our friendship. I’m going to be fine. I’ll meet someone at A&M and forget all about Luke Johnson.” She turned and climbed back onto her horse. She looked down at us and smiled. “You always forget about your first love after high school anyway, right?”

Grace laughed and nodded her head. We all started talking about Lauren’s last year of high school.

I couldn’t help myself, but I kept thinking of Libby’s comment.

You always forget about your first love…



“Lex? Hello? Are you still with me?” Will asked.

I smiled weakly. “Sorry, I was thinking about the other day. Libby told us that Claire and Luke were making out, and she was bothered by it. I just think Claire is out to get Luke before she heads off to college. I just don’t like her.”

Will gripped the steering wheel and shook his head. “I swear, if Luke hurts my sister again…”

I placed my hand on his arm, and he looked at me.

“Let’s just enjoy our evening, okay?”

He smiled and winked at me. “Deal.”

Will pulled up and parked next to Colt’s truck. I waited for Will to open my door, and we began walking down toward the river. I could already hear people screaming and laughing. I saw Colt talking to Rachel. She didn’t look happy at all. I knew he was breaking it off with her for good.

“Has Colt ever mentioned anything about Lauren to you?” I asked Will.